Crystal Windows Reviews

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Crystal 200 Windows Reviews

Crystal 200 Series Reviews

Looking for 12 replacement double hung windows, plus converting 2 to a bay...so far I have 3 quotes. The Alside Excaliburs and United 4800s were really close in price, then the Crystal Series 200 was about half that. I'm not sure which I should go with and what the differences are. The United rep said they use shims and caps on every window instead of simply nailing them in. Is that a big deal? Excaliburs have a better warranty. I don't really know much about the Crystals, they can't be as good for that much less.

Alissa - Homeowner - from 2012

[Response To Homeowner]

I've done a lot of work with Sunrise, Soft-Lite, OKNA, Simonton, Gorell. They all have various window series, basically a premium line, a standard one, and then a bargain. For the most part, big differences in price from one estimate to another are because you're comparing across quality lines. I'd go back and ask them about the features to figure out what level of window you're looking for before you compare the costs. To be honest, none of the three brands you mentioned are something I would recommend to customers of mine.

Crystal 5000 Windows Reviews

Crystal Windows 5000 Series

Good morning, an engineer in VA who investigated and performed repairs on my 4 story condo building for water damage, who happens to be partnered with a local window dealer who sells Crystal Windows, advised our management company and board that heavy duty all aluminum commercial grade windows were required and "industry standard" to replace our current cheap white wood frame/aluminum clad dark bronze on the outside only, residential grade windows. He claimed they leaked when they water tested them, although I have never seen them leak even in an heavy rain storm.

What is your review of these Crystal Windows specified? It seems like we are being severely price gouged and the "team" is setting a precedent for the rest of our building (335+ more windows need to be replaced eventually)? Most importantly: Please advise what other options would meet the industry standard for window this size for a max height 4 story condo building in Alexandria, VA.

I would greatly appreciate if you could reply before COB tomorrow. 10/25/2017. Thank you very much,

Sharon - Homeowner - from 2017

[Site Editor's Answer]

Sharon, I know very little about Crystal Windows, and nothing about the specific series you mentioned. However, I do know that paying $4K per window is lunacy and you should run from whoever is trying to sell you these windows. Unless of course, you have major water damage that requires extensive repair work. Even then, you should be getting at least three bids on the work to ascertain fair market value for the project.

Your management company and/or HOA should know the requirements for your building's windows. I deal with residential windows and have little knowledge of commercial grade windows. I'm surprised that you would need commercial grade windows and a little dubious.

I would suggest getting more bids from local window companies since this is like getting free and professional advise. Get as many bids as you need in order to get a good understanding of what you are dealing with. Once you feel like you have a handle on your project requirements, then you are in a position to make the decision.

Tim - Site Editor - from 2017

[Sharon's Reply]

Thank you so much!! Yes, I agree with you on all points from lunacy to getting more bids. Unfortunately my condo's management co seems to be part of the problem and did not/will not solicit other bids. Something is extremely rotten here.

Thanks for your candid reply!

Sharon - Homeowner - from 2017

[Site Editor's Answer]

It doesn't sound like time is a huge deal so take your time, get as much info as possible, and then make your decision. Talk with your neighbors as well, they may know some info that you don't, especially if anyone has had to replace their windows in the past five or six years!

General Crystal Windows Reviews

Crystal Windows vs Marvin Integrity

We need to replace six windows, approximately 4 inches x 77 inches each, in our Manhattan apartment (2nd floor of an old tenement-style building.) We have a contractor working on a renovation who will do the labor.

We have quotes for windows from Marvin Integrity and Crystal and are stunned — and confused -- by the enormous price difference between Crystal and the other two. Crystal estimates about $1700 for all six windows, the other two, more than $6000. How can this be? Are Crystal windows reliable? What would you do?

Marilyn - Homeowner - from 2017

[Site Editor's Answer]

I don't hear a ton about Crystal windows. From the little that I have heard, they seem to be a builder quality vinyl window. This means that they are built and marketed towards builders and contractors who are looking to put in a cheap vinyl window that will function well enough for the first handful of years, but will begin to break down in that year seven, eight, nine, 10. So the question you have to ask yourself is is it worth it to spend the $1700 on cheap windows knowing that you'll have to replace them probably in your tan or do you go with the more expensive windows that will probably last 20 to 25 years.

Normally, I tell people to go with the more expensive windows because from a long-term perspective it tends to be cheaper. However, the quote you've received are so different in price that you may want to consider consider putting the Crystal windows in for the $1700 and hoping that you don't have any issues part of what would drive this decision for me would be the claimant that I live in. So, for instance, if I lived in a very cold climate in which the quality of my windows was very important, I would be hesitant about going with the Crystal windows. If, however, I lived in a place with a much more mild climate, I would definitely consider going with the Crystal and knowing that I'm going to have to replace them in eight or nine years.

Tim - Site Editor - from 2017

Homeowner Opinion

My new house has Crystal windows and so far I love them. I get a tax credit because they are energy efficient, and my energy bills are smaller than in my old house even though this one is larger.

Robert - Consumer in New York - from 2011

Crystal Window Opinion

I've put Crystal windows in new construction and also as replacements. I've never had a major problem. They aren't as sturdy as some and I wouldn't put them in a hurricane zone or anything, but for most homes they work well and look nice. Most of the repairs I've had to do were because of bad installs. They aren't the best but they're good for the price.

Allen - Contractor in Connecticut - from 2010

Crystal Windows For Rental Properties

I own a lot of rental properties, and I had a unit that need windows fast. Crystal windows worked with my insurance company to get the paperwork in order so I could get the tenants back in. They aren't the best quality window, but their service was excellent. They really went out of the way to help me.

Charlie - Consumer in Washington D.C. - from 2010

Crystal Windows Reviews

I went with the basic windows, without the energy efficient features or anything. The only optional thing I went with was the mechanism that keeps the window from opening too far, I put that on the kids' rooms. I won't work with the particular dealer again, though. I thought I ordered one window, and the ones they put in I think were a lower end model. When I finally got a guy out to look he insisted that they were the ones I ordered, but I know that I wanted different ones.

They gave me some money back but didn't want to switch out my windows. So I got windows I don't really like, but at a great price. They work well enough, and I might get Crystals again, but not through that distributor.

AJ - Consumer in Virginia - from 2010

Crystal Window Review

Crystal makes a really low-end product. They're for rentals and temporary windows, they aren't good enough to use on your home. The only way to make them workable is to use so much caulking and silicone that it looks like garbage. Almost any other window would be better.